About

£19,001

354

Contact us at life@altern-i-life.co.uk

We're there! HOORAY!

Thank you thank you thank you for all your incredible support.

We have embarked on a very ambitious project – one that will consume us for a long while to come!

£16,000 for a project as big as this is a tight budget and was the bare minimum of what we could make this film for - we didn't want to be greedy! Now we have this incredible amount of support and backing, we have a new goal of £19,000!

This would allow us to UP our production values considerably and be more flexible with what and how we shoot the film.
With this extra push, we will also make a web series behind the scenes of the making of Altern-i-life!

Have you liked our films so far? Imagine more of them, but better, more interesting and not as rushed….

Thanks again for your INCREDIBLE support.

Keep sharing xxxx

Altern-i-life is an interactive musical about the meeting of
two worlds. Set during the dawn of the Internet, the film explores the
inhabitants of a grey and remote English town and the parallel lives they develop in a vibrant online realm.

We
spend an enormous percentage of our lives on the Internet. It’s an endlessly
open territory to explore, giving us the ability to simulate our idealistic
lifestyles, dreams and experiences. Altern-i-life explores the rich variety of,
often unhealthy, relationships we develop as a result; with our environment,
with our selves, and with each other.

Imagine
‘This is England’ meets ‘The League of Gentlemen’ meets ‘Singing in The Rain’…

Altern-i-life will eventually take the form of an interactive
short film, 15-minutes long, but with a different structure and story every
time you watch (depending on the choices you make). It will be entirely free online to all who want to view it!

The story is set in a classic
English town. It’s a bit grubby, and a bit grey, and everyone’s a little bit
grumpy. From most appearances it’s local and it’s happy, but something’s just a
little – ‘off’.

The film revolves around seven
townsfolk, and how they live out their dreams and desires in an alternative
online community, Altern-i-life; a
place of freedom and limitless possibility. This provides a sense of hope amongst the
drab and dull monotony of rural England. It’s a town within a town, where fresh
starts and new identities can be born.

However,
we quickly discover that Altern-i-life
is being shut down, due to lack of funding. In the final moments of an online
apocalypse, we see how dependent our townspeople have become on their parallel
identities.

After a big opening number you choose which character to visit, The Sentimental Butcheror The Optimistic Homeless Manand the journey begins...

Altern-i-life, like all great Musicals, is a tale of love and loss, an adventure through an undiscovered world of secrets, songs and the good and evil characters that dwell within. For our colourful characters the end of this world tests friendships, challenges morals and preconceptions, and creates romance.

The different paths you choose, and the different songs you hear, will give you changing perspectives on
how the ending of one world will change the other. It could make you laugh, bring you to tears of joy, or cause you to cry out with despair! A new Musical journey every time you watch!

Remember the books where at the bottom of the
page YOU made the decision – ‘to go left turn to page 100, to go right turn to
page 101’? Well, this will be like that, but much better and much much more entertaining!

The film will be
roughly 15 minutes long.

It will be made up of
10 different 3-minute films/songs.

After the first song,
there will be a choice – left or right, yes or no, fish or chips – whatever.

You, the viewer, will
decide and be instantly taken to the next 3-minute film depending on your
choice. This can lead to 16 different variations of the story: each time you
watch you can uncover a new set of songs and a new adventure.

It will only exist
online, embedded into Altern-i-life.co.uk as one seamless
interactive film. The choices our town’s people make online hugely affect their real life experiences... just as the choices you make whilst watching affect your own experience of our film.

The Sentimental Butcher

The Optimistic Homeless Man

The Jilted Hairdresser

The Perfectionist

The Little Girl

The Lonely Businessman

The Handyman

Each character offers a fresh perspective on Altern-i-life, as well the other characters. What does the heart-broken Hairdresser have to say about the misunderstood, secretly-sentimental Butcher?

The Music: All the tracks will be fully
orchestrated (similar to our Kickstarter song), a touch operatic like Sondheim, but with that shimmering drama and heart-dropping feel-good
harmony of Wicked. With a bit of a budget we'll be able to really bring our songs to life
with live instrumental sessions and higher production values. The songs are all written (hear some live piano-bar snippets below!) and ready to go!

The Look: In
contrast to the vibrant musical numbers, the film will show a bleak and quaint
view of the English countryside. Altern-i-life
will focus on the raw and natural feel of the local England in contrast to the
digital perfection of the online realm.

Imagine
the cold feel of This is England and
the absurdity of Hot Fuzz, mixed with
the stylised and symmetrical world of Wez Anderson’s Grand Budapest Hotel.

Altern-i-life will be set in rural Gloucestershire amongst the
faded majesty of a now dead-end industrial England.

Although
not explicitly so, Altern-i-life is
set in the 90’s and so the technology will be based around the old boxy, cream
hardware and clunky computer software and graphics.

The Cast: We
haven’t cast the film yet! Casting is such a lengthy and exciting process and
something that we really want to take our time on. We have a strong vision for these vibrant characters and we're focused on finding people just right each role (regardless of fame or background). We have some actors in mind but will be holding open-auditions to hopefully tap the sea of undiscovered talent out there!

The Team: We had a phenomenal crew who worked on our Kickstarter film – many of whom we hope to work with again for the final
project.

Theo (theodavies.co.uk) and Joss (jossholdenrea.com) were BEST friends. Well, at least Theo was the only person Joss could
talk to about musicals, and vice versa. After months of deliberation, and lots
of collaboration on other projects, they got incredibly excited about the idea
of combining their talents and jobs to make something that they hadn’t seen
before.

We
decided that the best way to prove to the world that we could actually make
something like this was to create the most ambitious Kickstarter film ever
made. And so we tried….

The
project was born out of the increasingly ridiculous amount of time we spend
online. For lots of us, this just involves the relentless checking of Facebook
or Gmail, but for others it is the result of complete immersion in an online
world. It’s a place where identity can be sculpted, outside the jurisdiction of
social normality.

Altern-i-life is a story about living online. Therefore, we
really want it to be completely funded by, and experienced through, the
Internet.

The musical is now 95% written, but is developing all the time. It has turned into an extremely ambitious project, requiring a lot more cast, cost and effort than most short films. With the element of choice, we are looking at making 10 short-films all with the same level of production, creativity and power as British independent film but with the theatricality and fun of a Broadway musical.

We love Musicals but they are so expensive most of us can barely afford to go. We want to make something that introduces a wider audience to musicals, capturing that magical West-End experience whilst making something cinematic and approachable. We want to make it free for everyone - we're not looking to make money, just to create something we can all relate to, sing aloud and enjoy. All we need is a little financial kick to help us do that.

LOG IN LET LIFE BEGIN: Welcome to Altern-i-life! You'll get 24hr access to a live-stream of Altern-i-life HQ (Theo's Room) & the hotline number to its landline telephone. Call us and chat about the project.

COUNTRYSIDE/GLITCH: We'll send you a handwritten postcard, and for an extra pound we'll write it when we're drunk.

THE LITTLE GIRL'S PRIZE: The Sadistic Little Girl character pack - a character from the musical will send you a personalised handwritten letter and a selection of her most prized possessions, sealed in a vacuum pack for your protection (see examples). You'll also get a postcard from Theo & Joss (written drunk or sober, your choice), access to the 24hr live-stream and the hotline number.

The Little Girls Prize

THE OPTIMISTIC HOMELESS MAN'S PRIZE: Here you'll get a ton of downloadable content, including a download of the final film, the soundtrack, a secret pathway through the musical (only available to Kickstarter supporters!), and loads of bonus material (behind the scenes footage, bloopers and a map of the films easter eggs...)! You'll also get The Optimistic Homeless Man character character pack (see image), 24hr live-stream access and hotline number.

The Optimistic Homeless Man

THE SENTIMENTAL BUTCHER'S PRIZE: You'll receive a beautiful personalised display-box (see image!), inside is a memory-stick jam packed with everything you could ever want; copy of the film, soundtrack, music-score, script, map of all secret pathways and easter-eggs, original artwork, personal video messages made by us... The Sentimental Butcher character pack, postcard from us (drunk/sober?), 24hr live-stream and hotline number.

The Sentimental Butcher

THE JILTED HAIRDRESSER'S PRIZE: Your name or an item you send us will be included in the film and returned to you! Names will be featured on adverts, letters, billboards etc featured in the film. You'll also get the that jam packed personalised display-box, The Hairdresser's character pack and of course a drunk/sober postcard, 24hr live-stream and hotline number.

The Jilted Hairdresser

THE PERFECTIONIST PRIZE: The first 4 people to pledge will have a main character in the film named after them! With this pledge you can be in the film, as an extra on-set OR from behind the safety of your computer screen over Skype. As a thank you for starring in the film you'll get a ticket to the launch party as well as The Perfectionist character pack, jam packed display-box, postcard, 24hr live-stream and hotline number.

The Perfectionist

THE LONELY BUSINESSMAN'S PRIZE: A prize mainly for businesses, the name of your business will be included in the film, as one of the characters shops or a local business in the town. You'll also receive The Lonely Businessman character pack, jam packed display-box, drunk postcard, 24hr live-stream and hotline access.

THE HANDYMAN'S PRIZE: As well as The Handyman character pack and everything from 'The Perfectionist Prize' you'll be invited to sing a line in the musical, we'll get you into the studio to record your vocals and invite you on set to bring them to life.

THE HANDYMAN'S 'TOOLBELT' PRIZE: Get one of two special props from our Kickstarter Musical, either the Saxophone (engraved with a personalised thank-you message) or Theo's Jacket & Bow-tie. You'll also still get The Handyman character pack and everything from the Perfectionists Prize.

THE 'ALTERN-I-LIFE' PRIZE: This is a special one. Give us a message, poem, short-story (anything!) and we'll make a short, professionally graded, fully scored, finished film of one of our main character (your choice) performing it on set. You'll also get ALL the personalised character packs, jam-packed content box, postcard, 24hr live-stream and that precious Altern-i-life hotline number.

THE MUSICAL PRIZE: We will write, orchestrate, record, perform and film a short musical about whatever you like. The perfect way to propose to your partner, immortalise an event/dead-pet, promote your business, break some news... whatever you like... a completely original film musical for you. Of course you'll also receive ALL the character packs, jam-packed display box, postcards, 24hr lives-stream, hotline number and our eternal love and respect.

A PIECE OF THE PIE

THE BOX:

Equipment hire: £3500

Production/Cast: £6000

Art department: £2500

Post production and web
development: £3000

Music/Studio time: £1000

Risks and challenges

This is an ambitious project. We are making something that we think is very unique and quite exciting. Essentially we are making 10 self contained short films that will seamlessly work to create one story and experience. This is of course going to present challenges, but our approach is one of flexibility and ambition and means that we are prepared to work with and around any issues thrown at us.

The script, songs and music are all written and under development! The film can be storyboarded to the most detailed extent, but will always take final shape during shooting. With a good and experienced crew – which we have the beginnings of (from the Kickstarter shoot) and which this funding allows us to pull together – the challenges during filming can be easily and creatively overcome.

Visualising and creating an alternate world presents a huge challenge in itself, one that we’re excited to tackle with a wealth of creative, filmic and theatrical ideas. In making our Kickstarter-Film we faced a lot of challenges (mainly how to make an exciting theatrical experience on an extremely tight budget), which we tackled confidently and learnt a lot from.

Both Theo and Joss have a vast experience of producing film and music respectively and are passionately committed to the success of this film. It’s their baby.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge £10 or more
About $13

THE LITTLE GIRL'S PRIZE

•••The Sadistic Little Girl - a character from Altern-i-life - will send you a hand written letter and selection of her most prized possessions, sealed in a vacuum pack for YOUR protection (see example on the left)
••Hand written postcard from Theo and Joss •24hr live-stream & hotline number

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge £25 or more
About $32

THE OPTIMISTIC HOMELESS MAN'S PRIZE

••••Secret pathway through the musical (ONLY available to Kickstarter supporters) ••••Access to the film before its release ••••Download of the final film and soundtrack + Bonus material (behind the scenes footage, bloopers, map of the easter-eggs...) •••AN OPTIMISTIC LETTER, handwritten from the homeless man character and a handful of his most treasured possessions (vacuum packed to sterilise)
••Hand written postcard from Theo and Joss •24hr live-stream & hotline number

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge £50 or more
About $64

THE SENTIMENTAL BUTCHER'S PRIZE

••••Beautiful personalised display box containing a physical copy of the film, music, score, script, map of all secret-pathways and easter-eggs, original artwork + personal messages made by us •••A SENTIMENTAL LETTER from the butcher, with a gift bag of his most beloved objects and off-cuts (vacuum packed for loving freshness)
••Hand written postcard from Theo and Joss •24hr live-stream & hotline number

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge £75 or more
About $96

THE JILTED HAIRDRESSER'S PRIZE

•••••Your name or an item you send us will be included in the film and returned to you (if in the UK). Names will be featured in adverts, letters, billboards etc shown in the film ••••The jam packed content box from the Butcher's prize •••A SPECIAL LOVE LETTER from the recently single, GSOH, owns own business, fun, looking for love hairdresser + a selection of her most valued treasures... and hair (vacuum packed with affection)
••Hand written postcard from Theo and Joss •24hr live-stream & hotline number

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge £100 or more
About $128

THE PERFECTIONIST'S PRIZE

FIRST 4 TO PLEDGE WILL HAVE A MAIN CHARACTER NAMED AFTER THEM

••••• YOU can be in the film! Be an extra on-set OR from behind the safety of your computer screen over Skype ••••• As an honorary cast member you'll of course have an invite to the launch party (in London) ••••The jam packed content box from the Butcher's prize ••• A PERFECT LETTER from the perfect perfectionist character, vacuum packed with a perfect selection of her most perfect things ••Hand written postcard from Theo and Joss •24hr live-stream & hotline number

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge £125 or more
About $160

THE LONELY BUSINESSMAN'S PRIZE

•••••(Mostly for Businesses) The name of your business will be included in the film, perhaps as one of the character's shops or a local business in the town ••••The jam packed content box from the Butcher's prize + launch party invite •••PROFESSIONAL LETTER from the desk of our business man character + a vacuum packed selection of formal thank-you gifts from around his office ••Hand written postcard from Theo and Joss •24hr live-stream & hotline number

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge £250 or more
About $321

THE HANDYMAN'S PRIZE

•••••• Sing a line in the musical! We'll record your vocals professionally in the studio and bring you on as an extra in the film to bring it to life ••••The jam packed content box from the Butcher's prize + launch party invite •••A SAW DUST STAINED LETTER, handwritten by the Handyman character with selection of his favourite things (most likely from his precious Scuba-Diving paraphernalia collection), vacuum packed to 'seal' in the Ocean ••Hand written postcard from Theo and Joss •24hr live-stream & hotline number

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge £250 or more
About $321

THE HANDYMAN'S 'TOOLBELT' PRIZE

••••••Get one of two special props from our Kickstarter shoot: SAXOPHONE (with an engraved thank you message) or THEO'S JACKET & BOWTIE ••••The jam packed content box from the Butcher's prize + launch party invite •••A SAW DUST STAINED LETTER, handwritten by the Handyman character with selection of his favourite things (most likely from his precious Scuba-Diving paraphernalia collection), vacuum packed to 'seal' in the Ocean ••Hand written postcard from Theo and Joss •24hr live-stream & hotline number

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge £500 or more
About $641

THE 'ALTERN-I-LIFE' PRIZE

••••••Give us a message, poem, short-story (anything!) and we'll make a short, professionally graded, fully scored, finished film of one of our main characters (your choice) performing it on set in their main location ••••The jam packed content box from the Butcher's prize + launch party invite ••••PERSONALISED LETTERS AND GIFT PACKS FROM ALL THE CHARACTERS ••Hand written postcard from Theo and Joss •24hr live-stream & hotline number

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge £1,000 or more
About $1,283

THE MUSICAL PRIZE

••••••We will write, orchestrate, record, perform and film a short musical about whatever you like. The perfect way to propose to your partner, immortalise an event/dog, promote your business, break some news, whatever it is it will be completely original to you! ••••PERSONALISED LETTERS AND GIFT PACKS FROM ALL THE CHARACTERS ••Hand written postcard from Theo and Joss •24hr live-stream & hotline number •••••OUR ETERNAL LOVE AND RESPECT